CUVCER201A
Develop ceramic skills

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to use basic ceramic techniques to produce ceramic work from simple design concepts.

Application

People with little or no ceramics experience apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. Typically they are embarking on a career in visual arts or a related area of creative practice and may have acquired general design, drawing or craft skills either at school or through self-directed learning and experimentation.

At this level, supervision and guidance would usually be provided.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare ceramic resources

1.1 Identify and obtain tools, equipment and materials for ceramics work

1.2 Prepare tools, equipment and materials according to workplace procedures and safety requirements

1.3 Set up a safe work space with guidance from key people

2. Use and test ceramic techniques

2.1 View a range of ceramic work in different styles and discuss with others how effects are achieved

2.2 Match potential techniques to the ideas for the work with the assistance of key people

2.3 Test nominated techniques to determine the effects they achieve

2.4 Calculate correct quantities of materials required and minimise waste where possible

2.5 Safely use selected techniques to produce ceramic work

2.6 Clean and store tools, equipment and materials according to safety requirements and specific needs of different items

3. Make plans to develop skills

3.1 Seek feedback on ceramic work from key people

3.2 Respond positively to feedback and identify key areas for improvement

3.3 Review different opportunities to build own skills and select suitable options

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

discuss the process for producing ceramics with others

understand and follow instructions

learning skills to:

improve techniques for producing ceramics through practice

respond appropriately to feedback

literacy skills to read product and equipment safety labels

numeracy skills to calculate quantities of materials

planning and organising skills to prepare and set up resources and work space.

Required knowledge

materials, tools and equipment commonly used for ceramics

major styles of ceramics and the work of key practitioners relevant to individual area of interest

typical work space and equipment requirements for the production of different types of ceramics

cleaning and maintenance techniques for tools and equipment used in ceramics

elements and principles of design – what they are and what they mean

intellectual property considerations for any person making creative work

ways of minimising waste in the use of ceramics’ tools, materials and equipment

OHS procedures that apply to ceramics work.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

produce multiple ceramic pieces where the techniques and materials support the ideas for the work

apply knowledge of ceramics tools, equipment and materials.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

tools, equipment and materials used in ceramic work.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of work in progress

questioning and discussion of the candidate’s intentions and work outcome

review of portfolios of evidence

review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

CUVPRP201A Make simple creative work.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Tools and equipment may include:

banding wheel

brushes

carving tools

kilns: electric, gas or raku

kiln equipment

knives and blades

protective clothing

rolling pins or other rollers

spatulas

tape measures

tongs.

Materials may include:

glazes

oxides

range of clays.

Workplace procedures may relate to:

cost control

process-specific procedures

recycling

safety

use of materials.

Key peoplemay include:

arts practitioners

mentors

supervisors

teachers.

Techniques would generally be quite limited in nature and may include:

applied surface treatments

firing techniques

handbuilding, such as:

coiling

pinching

slab-roll methods

moulding

subtractive surface treatments, such as:

impressing

incising

inlaying with other clays

piercing

stamping

wedging clay to remove air.

Ideas may be influenced by:

current capability with techniques

historical and theoretical contexts

subject matter or theme for the work, such as:

built environment

land and place

natural world

political, cultural and social issues

the body

spiritual concerns.

Process used to test techniques may include:

experimenting directly with work in progress

exploring techniques by making practice pieces

making samples using nominated techniques.


Sectors

Visual communication – ceramics


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.